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Sunday, November 30, 2014

All About That Base

Bent over a little at the waist because I'm fat and out of shapewith no core support at the 2014 Ward Parkway Thanksgiving 5K

Yes grammar police ... I realize I spelled "base" differently than the hit song "All About That Bass". And while I certainly appreciate the "bass" Meghan Trainor is singing about (and yes Michael, specifically one "bass"), I'm referring to BASE ... as in this weekend I kicked off BASE building mode for my Spring marathon. But seriously, I am all about that bass ... wink.

It's been a while since I've trained for a marathon. Moreover, with all that's happened in our lives this Fall, I've really kind of fallen off the running bandwagon. So Michael and I scheduled a Spring trip to Phoenix to attend 2015 Baseball Spring Training (actually I'll be going to games and she'll be sunning herself by the pool), and also to run the Phoenix Marathon. It's supposed to be a really fast marathon in hopefully warm February desert air.

After not running farther than 13 miles in the past 60 days, I was able to throw together a long run of 15 miles on Saturday at a 7:40 average pace. I'll use that as my current benchmark. Plus, I'm still among the breathing so it didn't kill me like I thought it might. It was tough, but I didn't stop the clock for a water stops or a bathroom break, so I was probably closer to 7:30 overall. It's definitely something to build on.

More than anything I've just felt unmotivated to run lately, so hopefully focusing on a marathon will light a fire. Plus, for a little challenge, and to help build my mileage base back up, I decided to do the Runner's World 36 Days Of Awesome. Basically you have to run at least a mile everyday between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. My plan at this point is to run at least five everyday, but I'll probably needed a day off here or there, so I might just do one some days.

I've never ran every single day for an extended period of time. I know a lot of people do it, but I've always taken at least one day off per week, and two days over the last couple of years. I just think it's better to give the body a little rest and allow the muscles to heal, especially as we age. But it will be interesting to find out how hard it is.

I don't have any huge speed goals for the Phoenix Marathon at this point, although in the back of my mind I would like to qualify for Boston again. But more than anything, I just want to finish and have a good race. So here's to kicking off marathon training once more and getting back at it. I hope your training's going well - have a great week! Booty - booty!... be great today!

Jut when I was coming at you with a Sharpie, you clarified. Thank goodness. I think you'll BQ or break 3 hours or some crazy nonsense. You seem to bounce back to speed pretty quickly. I will probably still be sleeping in a machine and hugging an ice pack.

Hi Jim. I'll be in Phoenix two weeks before you will be. I have penciled in a small marathon outside of town, primarily to knock Arizona off my list. I would've done the RnR or the Phoenix one, but it wasn't going to fit into our plans.

I did the RW Running Streak last year. It was interesting. Some days I just simply logged a mile (which was the basic requirement). It was fun, but I wouldn't want to do it indefinitely or for years like some people do. There were days were I really needed a rest day or I could feel an injury brewing and I lifelessly dragged myself onto a treadmill and pumped out a mile. Generally, I run 5 - 6 days a week, with no less than 4 miles a day. But I do walk several miles a day as well. I told myself this year I wouldn't do it again, but it is hard for me to turn down a challenge.

Glad to hear you are training diligently again and am looking forward to hearing your progress.

I thought about going to Phoenix to run that race just because it would be warm. If you haven't already registered check out StuftMama - she has a $10 discount for it right now. (STUFT10 is the code I think)I found your blog from Char's (My Life's a Marathon) - just reading a few posts do you live around Kansas City? I live in Topeka but in September met a bunch of guys who have or are planning to run a marathon in every state at the Patriot's Run.

Hey Kim - thanks for the tip, but we already signed up because I think it sells out. Yeah, we live in Lees Summit, just SE of KC. I'm in sales and am in Topeka all the time, about every week - it's good to meet you, don't be a stranger!

50 After 40

Hi ... Thanks for checking out my journal & notes on running 50 marathons in 50 states after the age of 40.
Running has added so much to my life, and hopefully some of my experiences will help your running in some way or maybe just provide a little encouragement! ... Be Great Today!